Effects of protective respiratory devices and physical workloads in harsh weather conditions on individuals' physiological measures and exertion ratings

Issue title: Injuries and Prevention in Healthcare Providers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ramadan, Mohamed Zaki

Affiliations: King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 1 4676713; E-mail: mramadan1@ksu.edu.sa or ramdanmz@yahoo.com

Abstract: Objective: Although respiratory device is an essential item to protect the wearer from hazardous gases and dust, it tends to increase heat load on the workers. The goal of this paper was to select the appropriate respiratory devices that can be used in a harsh weather under different work-loads. Methods: Sixteen young male participants participated in this study. Participants exercised on an ergometer bike in a laboratory at 30% and 50% of their physical workloads, in temperature and humidity controlled environments (30°C and 40°C dry bulb temperatures with 50% and 90% Relative Humidity), while wearing six different respiratory devices. The effects on the participant's body functions (e.g., heart rate, aural canal temperature and blood pressure), and their subjective exertion ratings were measured. Results: Results proved that when wearing protective devices in hot environments, all physiological measures as well as exertion ratings were significantly increased. However, wearing half-face masks with two inlets exerted less stresses on the worker's physiological measures and subjective rating. Conclusions: This study recommended wearing half-face masks with two inlets to be used when performing tasks at hot environmental conditions.

Keywords: Heat stress, respiratory devices, protective masks, exertion rating, physiological measures, worker, hot environment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1405

Journal: Work, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 435-445, 2012